Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair, Khristy Wilkinson is counting on it.

"I think that he has a following of people here, already a good base of supporters, so getting them energized around his candidacy is going to benefit us really at the county level," Wilkinson says.

Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn is less excited about Bredesen's entry into the race.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Blackburn campaign wrote:

Tennessee families want change and that is not what 74-year-old Democrat politician Phil Bredesen will bring to the United States Senate. Bredesen's views are out-of-touch with Tennessee values, he supported President Obama’s liberal policies, is against second amendment rights and even authored a plan to give illegal immigrants driving certificates. Marsha is the only true conservative in this race who will ensure liberal Bredesen doesn’t block President Trump’s agenda in Washington.

Along with Blackburn, Bredesen joins Democrat James Mackler and Republicans Stephen Fincher and Dr. Rolando Toyos in the race for Bob Corker's Senate seat.

The open primary election will be held on August 2nd, 2018 and the general election is on November 6th, 2018.